Consulting and StrategyConsultantMid-level(3-5 yrs)
Job Description
The Chambers Federation is an impact investment and entrepreneurial incubation firm that invests in talented entrepreneurs driving social change and innovation, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are seeking a Coffee Roasting Technical Consultant / Trainer for an intensive 1–2 month engagement to optimize our roasting operations and build staff capacity at one of our regional operational sites.
Role Overview
The consultant will be responsible for assessing and optimizing the roasting setup and workflow, operating manual gas-powered equipment, and establishing repeatable roasting profiles. A significant portion of the role involves training operational staff to ensure consistency, safety, and operational efficiency without the use of automated controls.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Optimization: Assess and optimize the roasting setup and workflow. Operate and calibrate a gas-powered coffee roasting machine (manual system, without PLC or automated controls).
Profile Development: Establish roasting parameters including charge temperature, gas control, airflow, and development time. Develop 3–5 repeatable roasting profiles using manual control.
Staff Training: Train staff on safe operation of the roaster, manual heat and airflow management, profile replication, and batch consistency. Conduct routine maintenance and daily equipment checks.
Process Documentation: Establish basic roast logging and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Provide a brief technical summary with key operational recommendations.
Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve equipment, process, or operational issues and provide practical recommendations for reliability and efficiency.
Deliverables
3–5 documented and repeatable roasting profiles.
Basic roasting SOPs and operational guidelines.
Roast logging template.
Staff capable of independently operating the machine and reproducing profiles.
Brief technical summary with key operational recommendations.
Location: Interviews will be conducted in person in Nairobi, Kenya. The assignment will take place at an operational site outside Kenya, though within the region.
Travel: The consultant must be willing and able to travel regionally and work on-site in a remote or developing operational environment.
Required Qualifications
Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on coffee roasting experience.
Proven ability to operate gas-powered roasting equipment.
Experience working with manual roasting systems (without PLC or automated profile control).
Demonstrated ability to develop and standardize roast profiles through manual control.
Strong technical and mechanical understanding of roasting equipment.
Proven troubleshooting and operational problem-solving skills.
Experience training operational staff.
Practical, hands-on working style and ability to operate independently.
BA/BSc/HND qualification.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through The Chambers Federation portal on Odoo.
